Whatever his other faults, Cliven Bundy is not a racist – at least on the evidence of the carefully edited statement originally publicized by the New York Times.

In an impromptu speech to supporters on April 19, the embattled Nevada rancher described how the modern welfare state has undermined the black family, and expressed the hope that peaceful activism could reduce the size and invasiveness of government bureaucracy.

Like Dr. Walter Williams, a black economist and author, Bundy suggested that in some ways the welfare state has done more damage to the black family than slavery had done. Bundy also had sympathetic words for Mexicans, including illegal immigrants, whom he described as decent, hard-working, family-centered people.

This follows a familiar three-step process -- -developed by the Soviets, but employed by the Regime ruling us, as well -- for dealing with dissenters and non-conformists: First they are vilified, then isolated, then finally liquidated.